Christopher Smith is a wildlife artist and freelance author from Suttons Bay, Michigan, where he lives with his wife, two teenagers, and two obnoxious Labs. He specializes in dogs and wildlife scenes for pet owners and wildlife lovers across the country.

            Chris has illustrated more than two-dozen hunting and fishing books. For over twenty-five years, he has been a freelance author and illustrator for a variety of magazines such as Ducks Unlimited, Retriever Journal, The Pointing Dog Journal, Just Labs, Delta Waterfowl, Ruffed Grouse Society, Upland Almanac, and the Record-Eagle Scene, as well as a columnist for the Record Eagle newspaper, both based in Traverse City, Michigan. He is author and illustrator of Small Water Waterfowling and Field Guide to Upland Bird and Waterfowl Identification, and co-author of Waterfowling Horizons and the Lost Branch Sportsman’s Club series.

            Smith recently won his fifth Michigan State Duck Stamp in the 2020 contest. In 2018, his image of a pair of wigeon — which appears on the cover of his latest book — placed first in the contest, and was also made into the first Michigan Governor's Edition, as well as being the first Michigan stamp to depict a dog. He also took first place in the 2016, 2014, and 2005 Michigan State Duck Stamp contests, second in 2013 and 2021, and was named the 2009 and 2014 Michigan Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Artist of the Year. Smith has also painted the 2013 and 2018 Ruffed Grouse Society Print of the Year, made it to the final round of the 2019 Federal Duck Stamp Contest, and was one of seven in the final round of the 2020 contest.

            A graduate of Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, he holds a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Management. When not in his studio, he’s out conducting “field research” for another painting or article, although his wife might suggest he’d be out there anyway.